Methods for improved agricultural procedures

Abstract

Various apparatus and procedures for agricultural operations are provided. In particular, in one embodiment, methods for determining the precise location of each seed planted and using the seed planting location data to improve post-planting operations are provided. In another embodiment, apparatus and methods for determining the location of wet zones in an agricultural field and using the wet zone location data to plan an optimal path through the field to avoid wet areas are provided. In another embodiment, methods for tendering seed and chemical inputs for an agricultural operation are provided. In another embodiment, dynamic path planning methods of an autonomous agricultural vehicle are provided. In another embodiment, methods of planting end rows in an agricultural field are provided. In another embodiment, methods for planting multiple seed varieties in an agricultural field are provided.

1 . A method for planting end rows in an agricultural field comprising:
 providing an agricultural vehicle and an agricultural implement equipped with a GPS receiver and a processor operating software configured to control operation of the agricultural vehicle and the agricultural implement through the agricultural field;   planting an outermost end row of the agricultural field;   recording GPS coordinates contemporaneously with planting the outermost end row of the agricultural field and storing the GPS coordinates on the processor, the GPS coordinates indicative of the location of a perimeter of the agricultural field; and   generating at the processor a mission plan for planting a remaining portion of the agricultural field based on the GPS coordinates.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mission plan comprises locations of one or more interior rows and one or more end rows in the remaining portion of the agricultural field and an order in which the interior rows and end rows in the remaining portion of the agricultural field are planted. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the mission plan comprises instructions for planting the interior rows before planting the end rows in the remaining portion of the agricultural field. 
     
     
         4 . A method for planting multiple varieties of seed in an agricultural field comprising:
 providing an agricultural vehicle and an agricultural implement equipped with a GPS receiver and a processor executing a mission plan, the mission plan configured to control operation of the agricultural vehicle and the agricultural implement through the agricultural field;   loading a first variety of seed in the agricultural implement and planting the first variety of seed in all areas of the agricultural field indicated by the mission plan for the first variety of seed; and   loading a second variety of seed in the agricultural implement and planting the second variety of seed in all areas of the agricultural field indicated by the mission plan for the second variety of seed.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein loading a first variety of seed in the agricultural implement further comprises calculating an amount of the first variety of seed required to complete the mission plan and loading only the amount of the first variety of seed required to complete the mission plan. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein loading a first variety of seed in the agricultural implement further comprises loading one or more inputs associated with the first variety of seed in the agricultural implement and planting the first variety of seed in all areas of the agricultural field indicated by the mission plan for the first variety of seed further comprises applying the one or more inputs associated with the first variety of seed in accordance with the mission plan. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein loading one or more inputs associated with the first variety of seed in the agricultural implement further comprises calculating an amount of the one or more inputs associated with the first variety of seed required to complete the mission plan and loading only the amount of the one or more inputs associated with the first variety of seed required to complete the mission plan. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein loading a second variety of seed in the agricultural implement further comprises calculating an amount of the second variety of seed required to complete the mission plan and loading only the amount of the second variety of seed required to complete the mission plan. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4  wherein loading a second variety of seed in the agricultural implement further comprises loading one or more inputs associated with the second variety of seed in the agricultural implement and planting the second variety of seed in all areas of the agricultural field indicated by the mission plan for the second variety of seed further comprises applying the one or more inputs associated with the second variety of seed in accordance with the mission plan. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein loading one or more inputs associated with the second variety of seed in the agricultural implement further comprises calculating an amount of the one or more inputs associated with the second variety of seed required to complete the mission plan and loading only the amount of the one or more inputs associated with the second variety of seed required to complete the mission plan.